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Virginia Giuffre, a leading voice for survivors of sexual abuse and one of the most prominent accusers in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, has died by suicide at the age of 41, her family confirmed Friday.
Giuffre, who had lived in Australia for years, passed away at her farm in Western Australia. Her family described her as a “fierce warrior” who dedicated her life to fighting sexual exploitation and giving hope to survivors worldwide.
“Despite all the adversity she faced in her life, she shone so bright,” the family’s statement read. “She will be missed beyond measure.”
Giuffre rose to international prominence after bravely stepping forward with allegations against powerful figures connected to Epstein’s extensive network of abuse. In 2021, she filed a high-profile lawsuit against Prince Andrew, accusing him of sexually abusing her when she was 17 years old at several locations, including Ghislaine Maxwell’s London home and Epstein’s properties in Manhattan and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The prince denied the accusations, but the two reached an out-of-court settlement in early 2022, reportedly for millions of dollars. Following the lawsuit, Andrew surrendered his royal military titles and patronages amid mounting public pressure.
Throughout her life, Giuffre used her painful experiences to advocate for others, becoming a symbol of resilience and justice for survivors of human trafficking and sexual abuse.
“Virginia was deeply loving, wise, and funny,” said her longtime publicist Dini von Mueffling. “She adored her children and her many animals. Representing her was the privilege of a lifetime.”
Born Virginia Roberts in the United States, Giuffre’s early years were marred by abuse, which she openly spoke about in hopes of inspiring change. She had been a vocal critic of the leniency shown to Epstein, who in 2008 avoided serious federal charges by accepting a controversial plea deal. Epstein was later re-arrested in 2019 but died by suicide in jail before facing a full trial.
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime confidante, was later convicted on federal sex trafficking charges and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Although Giuffre’s allegations were not included in Maxwell’s trial, Giuffre told the court that Maxwell had “opened the door to hell” in her life.
Giuffre’s sudden passing comes just a month after surviving a serious car accident, which she publicly shared on Instagram, saying she had only a few days to live following the crash.
She is survived by her three beloved children, described by the family as the “light of her life.”
Sigrid McCawley, Giuffre’s attorney, said in tribute:
“Her courage pushed me to fight harder, and her strength was awe-inspiring. The world has lost an extraordinary soul today. Rest in peace, sweet angel.”
